D130A
This bass is apparently one of the pre-production models with serial number D30A impressed on the end of the neck, not the side. It is likely that the full serial number was D130A, prior to the extra routing at the end of the neck, and this location of the serial number is typical for the very early DA basses. Came up for auction in January 2009 and sold for $1,134.
After two years, the bass comes up for auction in December 2011 with an asking price of $3,500, but didn't sell at that time. Here's the seller's description:
"This is the exact prototype Dan Armstrong bass used to document the history of Dan Armstrong guitars at the dan armstrong.org site. It is the exact bass used throughout the "bass" file. Please study these photos I have loaded, as well as all the photos of this prototype bass on that website. Some of the thick brown phenolic on the top of the pickup has fractured since the website was created, but it is the same pickup as it was back then, devoid of the screw to hold it in place, (just as Dan Armstrong made it). It is held in place by the chrome metal fastener, before he changed direction and added the screw on the back of the body, and dispensed with the chrome fastener. You will also notice that he didn't modify the inside cutaway on the lower bout, to make room for the player's hand, as he did on the production models. The cutaways on this prototype are identical, unlike the production models. This is the most historically significant guitar I have ever owned. And this bass plays very nicely, the neck is straight, frets nice, just a very nice Dan Armstrong instrument. The serial number is at the end of the neck (see website photo of this serial number "30A"). Production models carried a number on the upper side of the neck, this doesn't. The original case is prototype, as well. Shipping in the USA is $40."
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D130A then changes hands privately and is purchased by Kebo's Bass Works, a specialist in internet bass sales.
"Viva Las Vegas! Kebo’s is pleased to announce our retail alliance with our good friend Jesse Gago at Jesse Gago’s Guitars in Sin City! This bass is available for sale exclusively with Jesse! Documented as pre-production / prototype or one of the earliest ever made! Has features I’ve NEVER seen in 37 years in the bass world. All of these prototype features are in the documentation! First of it has the prototype case. The bass has different pickup recess and mounting format. It has the flange at the pick up. The bridge and routing are different, the cut-aways are different. The guard is different and it has the unbelievably rare large side markers! Everything is original and we believe the bass was wired incorrectly from the factory – we’re not touching it. WOW this is a rare bird"
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